1) What did you like best about your role?
I loved how three dimensional my character Tevye was, and I loved getting into the mind of Tevye and bringing him to life onstage.2) What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment while performing “Fiddler” would have to be the final curtain call. It was an extremely emotional moment for me. Seeing the crowd cheer and knowing how much work the cast put into this show really made that final curtain call special.3) What was your most challenging moment?
The most challenging moment in this process was trying to channel my “inner Tevye” I guess. There are so many layers to that character, and it took me quite a while to really create those layers.4) How did you feel when you were nominated?
I heard that I was nominated right at the end of school. My drama teacher came in to my classroom, shook my hand, and told me that I was nominated. I was SO EXCITED!5) What are you looking forward to the most at the award ceremony?
I’m looking forward to performing “Tradition” one more time on the Casa Mañana stage and hopefully meeting some of the other contestants nominated.6) What do you plan to do or hope to do in the future?
I’ll be attending the University of Evansville next year as a Theatre Performance major, and I hope to be a professional actor someday.

1) What did you like best about your role?
Being able to portray my personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was an honor. The fact that I was able to do that was probably what I liked best about that role.2) What was your favorite moment?
In the original Godspell script there is no resurrection. In our show, my character resurrected. At the end of the show I died and was lowered into a moving crate. The characters then walked me around the stage during the closing song. About two minutes later, I appeared on the opposite side of the stage, transformed out of my blue jumpsuit into an all-white outfit. The roar of applause from the audience and the pure joy and excitement on their faces is something that I will never forget.3) What was your most challenging moment?
The most challenging moment was definitely the crucifixion scene. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering of Jesus on the cross, and having to portray that was very challenging. Every time I did it, even in rehearsals, I had trouble breathing after because I was so emotionally stretched. It was a tough thing to go through but very fulfilling.4) How did you feel when you were nominated?
When my director, Scott Werntz called me and told me, I couldn’t stop laughing with excitement. I couldn’t wait to tell my family. It was a very special moment.5) What are you looking forward to the most at the award ceremony?
Our musical was nominated for best musical, so we have the chance to perform one of our numbers at the awards show. I’m most looking forward to reuniting my cast mates one last time.6) What do you plan to do or hope to do in the future?
I’m attending Texas A&M this fall and I plan to study psychology to be a teen counselor. My dream is to tour the world with a praise and worship band. I hope to do more theatre over the years to come. We’ll see where God leads me!

1) What did you like best about your role?
How closely I related to the character. Shy at first, but once you get through to him/me, you see that he is a crazy, fun spirited boy.2) What was your favorite moment?
I really enjoyed the process creating the character. Since the first rehearsal I had a clear idea of what I wanted to convey to the audience and make them feel, what I wanted Coneybear’s quirks to be, and my relationships with other spelling bee contestants.3) What was your most challenging moment?
Definitely when I had to skate around in my heely’s. I have never been able to skate very well. Let alone heely. But after falling on my butt a thousand times, I finally mastered the art.4) How did you feel when you were nominated?
I felt greatly humbled that they appreciated my work. And I cannot stop thanking everyone involved with the show, Buckley’s, or anyone who came to support our show.5) What are you looking forward to the most at the award ceremony?
A night full of theatre. To perform a number from our show for the other schools. And most importantly, to see my fellow theatre lovers.6) What do you plan to do or hope to do in the future?
I wish to stay active in my schools theatre and choir departments, continue to audition for every possible show outside of school, and one day go to college to earn a BFA in musical theatre. After that, well the sky is the limit filled with possibilities to what could happen.

1) What did you like best about your role?
I loved how the character was so sincere and caring, but also oblivious to everything else, except for his main goal. He was just an innocent elephant who wanted to save some Whos2) What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment was actually the beginning of the show, because I would have this feeling of “let’s do this!” then dancing onto the stage and catching sight of the crowd that came to watch you perform.3) What was your most challenging moment?
There was this tree that I had to climb onto and do pretty much the whole second act on. It was just this really tall wooden tower thing, which was pretty freaky to sit on. Sometimes it would feel like it was going to fall over while you were on it, in fact it did tip over once, but luckily I had a trusty sidekick there with me to make sure I didn’t fall and break my face.4) How did you feel when you were nominated?
I literally would look at the nominee page on the Casa Manana webpage everyday to see if the nominees were posted yet, but that wasn’t the place I found out that I was nominated. I was at the DMV I turned my phone on to see a “congratulation” text then other texts to follow. I sat there with a big smile on my face, I think the people next to me thought I was strange5) What are you looking forward to the most at the award ceremony?
I’m just excited about going because I’ve never been before. I’m excited about hopefully winning too.6) What do you plan to do or hope to do in the future?
I’m attending Nebraska Wesleyan University majoring in Musical Theatre. Afterwards I plan on doing everything I can with my background in theatre. My ultimate plan is to act in Broadway shows, and eventually to write and produce my own shows. Working with NBC one day is also a goal of mine.

1) What did you like best about your role?
I liked being able to delve into the mind of a good character gone bad. It was interesting seeing the steady progression of the theme of good vs. evil.2) What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment was the first transformation. It is a pivotal turning point in the story, and crucial in leading toward the inevitable downfall of Dr. Jekyll.3) What was your most challenging moment?
My most challenging moment was trying to find the right amount of depth to develop the split personality between Jekyll and Hyde.4) How did you feel when you were nominated?
I felt elated, to say the least, that I was nominated for a Buckley. It filled my heart with belief and joy to know that our hard work paid off.5) What are you looking forward to the most at the award ceremony?
Honestly, I’m simply glad that we were recognized. Winning awards is nice, but being nominated for Best Musical is a huge privilege and we are proud to stand beside the other talented cast members from schools that were nominated.6) What do you plan to do or hope to do in the future?
I plan on going to Oklahoma City University and majoring with a BFA in theatre.

1) What did you like best about your role?
Being able to dance throughout the entire play.2) What was your favorite moment?
When I looked out into the audience with a weird smile and everyone laughed so hard I almost broke.3) What was your most challenging moment?
Trying to keep my high energy up.4) How did you feel when you were nominated?
I felt honored and that God really blessed me.5) What are you looking forward to the most at the award ceremony?
Being able to watch all the performances from all of the best musical nominees.6) What do you plan to do or hope to do in the future?
To entertain through whatever I choose to do.

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News, reviews, nuggets and tidbits from the local arts scene, including literature, theater, classical music, opera, dance and the visual arts.